Looking for the perfect party snack? Popcorn shrimp is crispy, easy, and ready in just 14 minutes. These little bites are a crowd-pleaser, perfect for any get-together or just a quick, fun snack at home. Fast to make and super tasty, they’ll disappear almost as quickly as you can fry them up.
Additionally, from the seasoning to the coating, there’s plenty of room for customization, making it easy to personalize every batch. Let's get cooking!
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This popcorn shrimp recipe works because it’s quick, easy, highly customizable, and versatile, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ready in just 20 minutes, it doesn't get any easier to prepare a flavorful dish like this popcorn shrimp. The shrimp cook up fast, and with simple ingredients like flour, seasonings, and eggs, the preparation is minimal.
Furthermore, this recipe for popcorn shrimp is highly customizable, allowing you to cater the recipe to your personal taste and dietary requirements. Spice up your homemade popcorn shrimp with cayenne, use rice flour to make gluten-free popcorn shrimp, or try different coatings like panko or crushed cornflakes.
Plus, you can serve your crispy popcorn shrimp with a wide range of side dishes, from classic French fries or coleslaw to a fresh salad or even tacos. Its crispy, bite-sized nature makes it a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with nearly any meal, whether you’re serving it as an appetizer, snack, or main course.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
When choosing what shrimp to buy for your popcorn shrimp recipe, opt for fresh shrimp that has been peeled, deveined, and had the tail removed. Frozen shrimp can be used as well. However, it's important to ensure that they have thawed out completely and pat dry with a clean paper towel before preparing them for your dish.
Additionally, smaller shrimp give that classic popcorn shrimp feel. Aim for a 60/70 count per pound so each bite is easy to pop into your mouth. If you don't like shrimp or simply want to try this recipe using a different protein, you can use chicken, scallops, calamari rings, cauliflower florets, or button mushrooms.
Seasoning:
This popcorn shrimp recipe has you season the shrimp using simple ingredients such as salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. While you can opt to remove seasonings like pepper and paprika to make kid-friendly popcorn shrimp, there are some other seasonings that you can add as well. Seasonings like cayenne pepper, chili powder, dried oregano, lemon zest, dried thyme, Old Bay Seasoning, or cumin are all flavorful additions that will give your homemade popcorn chicken even more bold flavors.
All-Purpose Flour:
You can also opt to season your flour to give your homemade popcorn shrimp an added flavor boost by adding any of your favorite seasonings to the flour. Additionally, you can use cornstarch, pano, breadcrumbs, almond flour, crushed crackers, rice flour, or coconut flakes to coat your shrimp in place of all-purpose flour.
Egg Wash:
The egg wash is used to create an adhesive barrier between the shrimp and the double coating of flour. However, there are other options you can use instead of milk and egg. Buttermilk, heavy cream, and Greek yogurt are excellent options if you don't mind the dairy, but for a dairy-free option, dairy-free milk, coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, mustard, or dairy-free yogurt can also be used.
How to Make Popcorn Shrimp
Step One:
Season your shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to evenly coat the shrimp in the seasonings. Set aside.
Step Two:
Create an egg wash by whisking the milk and egg together in a bowl.
Step Three:
Add the flour to a separate bowl and dredge the shrimp in the flour, followed by the egg mixture, then again in the flour. Repeat with remaining shrimp and set aside.
Step Four:
Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over high heat. There should be enough oil to submerge the shrimp. To avoid overcrowding, cook in batches if necessary.
Step Five:
Cook your popcorn shrimp for 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove the cooked shrimp from the hot oil and rest it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess oil.
Step Six:
Top your crispy popcorn shrimp with fresh herbs, serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Tips
- If you have the time, marinate the shrimp in milk or buttermilk for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This helps tenderize them and adds a hint of tangy flavor, perfect for crispy popcorn shrimp.
- Double-coat your shrimp in seasoned breadcrumbs or panko for an even crunchier coating. Start by dipping the shrimp in the flour, followed by the egg wash, and then in the breadcrumbs for a thicker, crispier coating.
What to Serve With Popcorn Shrimp
This fried popcorn shrimp is a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a classic combination, serve it with French fries or a basket of warm hush puppies for a restaurant-style meal. A fresh coleslaw or a tangy Caesar salad complements the crispy popcorn shrimp by adding a refreshing crunch and a hint of acidity. For a lighter option, try pairing it with steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or a simple garden salad. Dipping sauces such as cocktail sauce, remoulade, or a spicy aioli add even more flavor to your homemade popcorn shrimp.
FAQs
Can I make air fryer popcorn shrimp?
You can make air fryer popcorn shrimp for a healthier twist. Simply cook at 400F for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway, for a crisp texture with less oil.
How do I make baked popcorn shrimp?
For baked popcorn shrimp, bake the coated shrimp in the oven for about 8-10 minutes at 400F, flipping halfway through. You can spray shrimp with olive oil before baking.
What's the best way to store leftover popcorn shrimp?
You can store leftover popcorn shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer-term storage, place the cooled popcorn shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp is a quick and easy protein that can be used to create a variety of different meals, like this homemade popcorn shrimp. For more quick and easy shrimp recipes, check out this collection of some of our favorites and feel inspired!
Popcorn Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Season your shrimp with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to evenly coat the shrimp in the seasonings. Set aside.
- Create an egg wash by whisking the milk and egg together in a bowl.
- Add the flour to a separate bowl and dredge the shrimp in the flour, followed by the egg mixture, then again in the flour. Repeat with remaining shrimp and set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over high heat. There should be enough oil to submerge the shrimp. To avoid overcrowding, cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook your popcorn shrimp for 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Remove the cooked shrimp from the hot oil and rest it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess oil.
- Top your crispy popcorn shrimp with fresh herbs, serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- If you have the time, marinate the shrimp in milk or buttermilk for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This helps tenderize them and adds a hint of tangy flavor, perfect for crispy popcorn shrimp.
- Double-coat your shrimp in seasoned breadcrumbs or panko for an even crunchier coating. Start by dipping the shrimp in the flour, followed by the egg wash, and then in the breadcrumbs for a thicker, crispier coating.
- For a baked and healthier version, bake the coated shrimp in the oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can spray the shrimp with olive oil before baking.